Giving kids a healthy start

THE Co-operative Multi-sports Programme will see fitness coaches deliver sessions based around speed and agility at 12 local schools.

Children taking part will receive a booklet to encourage them to continue to develop and improve their fitness and practice the skills they have learnt.

And to inspire them even more, each youngster will get free entry to an ITFC game at Portman Road this season.

Schools across Suffolk, from Thetford to Felixstowe, Bury St Edmunds to Woodbridge, will be taking part.

Year one teaching assistant at Cliff Lane, Kerry Broom said the scheme was a “great idea”.

“The kids have been so excited,” she added. “Seeing the players here really inspires them and gets them excited about PE.”

Aileen Walters, the Co-operative’s Sponsorship Manager said: “Developing our involvement with the Club’s community programme is a natural fit for our businesses because it is very important for us to support local people and communities in which we trade.

“The Co-operative is delighted to be involved with this initiative, which is aimed at promoting fitness and healthy living for primary school children.

“We appreciate that grassroots sport has an important role to play, not only in giving children the opportunity to benefit from regular exercise but also to learn about teamwork and develop social skills.”

Terry Baxter, chief executive of the ITFC Charitable Trust, added: “We are always looking at new ideas and ways of getting the message across to youngsters in the community of the benefits of actively being involved in sport and The Co-operative Multi-sports Programme will be doing just that.”

Town goalie Scott Loach was on hand to launch Ipswich Town’s partnership with The Co-operative and the ITFC Charitable Trust to give 1,800 schoolchildren in Suffolk sporting opportunities.

The 24-year-old revealed he will be wearing special pink gloves and boots between the Portman Road posts if he is picked tomorrow, and for three other games to help raise money for the charity Against Breast Cancer.

Loach, who has already raised £1,000, told The Star he is passionate about the cause after his mum was diagnosed with the disease a few years ago when she was 45.

He said: “I know a lot about the disease, when you live through it and see it first hand it really opens your eyes.

“For the last three years I have done something to raise money for the charity whether it be a charity game or a party.

“This year I wanted to do something a bit different.” Speaking about the new Co-operative Multi-sports Programme launched yesterday at Cliff Lane Primary School, Loach said it is important for kids to get outside and get fit and healthy.

As an eight-year-old fan visiting the Ipswich Town Academy he recalled meeting his idol former Town goalie Richard Wright and the impact it had on him.

“People look up to us as players,” he said.

“I remember meeting my idol, Richard Wright at the academy, still to this day when you talk about all the goal keepers in the world, my memory of seeing him when I was eight just can’t be beaten.

“He is still a legend in my eyes.

“If we can inspire some of the kids here today to live a healthier lifestyle it is all worth it.”

And loanee striker Aaron Mclean, who also took part in the fun session with the year one pupils, added: “It is brilliant, throughout my career I have been heavily involved in working with kids.

“They love it when celebrities come down to their school, they always want to get involved.

“It is really important that youngsters learn to keep fit and healthy, and make sure they are active.”

Showing his support for his team mate Arran Lee-Barrett has ordered a custom-made pair of his gloves to include the Breast Cancer Campaign ribbon.

“This is a great cause which helps lots of people so I was only too happy to support Scott in raising awareness,” the goalkeeper said.

“They are definitely the best pair of gloves I have owned and hopefully this will help to raise further awareness for this excellent cause.”